TN has steepest drop in youth incarceration

National reports highlight state's reforms, policies

6:31 AM,
Feb. 27, 2013

Inside the Williamson County Jail's booking area

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Tennessee reduced its jailing of teens more than any other state between 1997 and 2010, drawing praise for efforts to rehabilitate young offenders in two national reports to be released today.

The 66 percent reduction in youth incarceration - from more than 2,100 youths in lockups to fewer than 800 - was the steepest drop, landing Tennessee among the 10 states with the lowest rate of incarceration, according to reports by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Justice Policy Institute.

The reports detail a 37 percent nationwide decline in jailing of teens and highlight reforms in Tennessee ...